Mokelumne on tap

New plant lets Lodi use river water for first time

LODI - Lodi Deputy Public Works Director Larry Parlin twisted the tap to the new Surface Water Treatment Plant's 3 million gallon tank and filled a cup full of freshly treated Mokelumne River water on Thursday morning.

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By Keith Reid

recordnet.com

By Keith Reid

Posted Nov. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By Keith Reid

Posted Nov. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

LODI - Lodi Deputy Public Works Director Larry Parlin twisted the tap to the new Surface Water Treatment Plant's 3 million gallon tank and filled a cup full of freshly treated Mokelumne River water on Thursday morning.

"Most people won't be able to tell a difference," he said. "But, it's better than well water."

That cup of water that Parlin poured Thursday is among 1 million gallons a day that will be pumped through the $36 million treatment plant and marks the first time the nearby river's water will be sent to the taps of Lodi homes.

The city temporarily turned off its groundwater wells on Tuesday, saving electricity costs on pumping, so that the whole city has been supplied by Mokelumne water this week, city spokesman Jeff Hood said.

Lodi always has used groundwater, but is now buying 6,000 acre feet of Mokelumne River Water each year. That amount of water could supply about a third of the city's need. The city has been paying the Woodbridge Irrigation District roughly $1.2 million a year for the water since 2003. Until now, the purchased water has been banked for Lodi use.

Chief Plant Operator Andrew Richle oversees the daily production at the facility, where a "membrane" filter system sucks the tiniest of particles out of the water, which is also treated with cleansing chemicals.

"We have a 36-inch line that goes up Mills Avenue with four connectors into the system," Richle said.

Parlin said the plant is so efficient and computer-controlled that human error is impossible. "We couldn't put out bad water if we tried to," Parlin said.

The Surface Water Treatment Plant, which took a year to build, has been at the center of some controversy. Mayor JoAnne Mounce had voted against building the plant, saying the city would be better off recharging the groundwater basin at a lower cost.

She was outvoted, however, and as plans for the plant developed, new controversy surrounding how the city would staff the plant emerged.

Councilman Bob Johnson proposed privatizing the plant at a cost savings of up to $1 million a year. The city eventually settled with staffing the plant with seven of its own employees instead of contracting out to the lowest bidder.

Water experts appear to be happy with all the decisions.

"In 30 years, people are going to look back at this and say it was a great decision," Parlin said.

County Water Resources Director Brandon Nakagawa said he is in full support of more surface water being used in San Joaquin County.

"It's probably a good thing. The Mokelumne is a great source of water. It's pristine snow melt and a great source of drinking water," Nakagawa said. "Our view is that it's very well maintained. The agencies up there in connection with the river have all been very good stewards."

Nakagawa added that using surface water gives the city a chance to recharge its groundwater basins.

"Hopefully Lodi isn't the last to pursue surface water," he said. "Lathrop, Manteca, Tracy and Escalon hopefully will be doing similar things."

Lodi's plant is the second major water plant to open in the year. Stockton opened a new $217 million water treatment plant over the summer that pumps water from the Delta to taps in Stockton.